Lent at St Paul’s: Finding our Way…
The Transfiguration of Christ - Mark 9.2-9
Sunday Hui and Evensong reflection
On Sunday we held the first of our post-10am Eucharist get-togethers, to discuss the future direction of the Cathedral.
The first reading on Sunday was about the covenant between God and all life on Earth revealed to Noah, and we picked up on this in our discussions, along with the image of Te Karaiti Te Pou Herenga Waka (Christ the post to which our waka are moored) from the prayerbook. We discussed the idea of the Cathedral as a place which could be a ‘safe harbour’ for diverse people with all sorts of different ‘waka’ depending on their identity, background, needs and stage of the journey, to approach the mooring post of Christ and to be welcomed and included as the people of God.
Over refreshments we discussed some practical steps we could take together:
Supporting our Sisters and Brothers:
(a) Materially – how do we help people who are in urgent need who come to see us at the Cathedral?
We don’t necessarily have the set-up at the Cathedral to address everyone’s needs (especially without the crypt hall being in use), but we can get better at helping those in immediate need, both by having people around to listen and accompany, but also by partnering with other churches and organisations so that we can support them and ‘signpost’ everyone to the help they might need.
(b) Structurally – how do we make an impact on the structural injustice which keeps people struggling?
We can look at how we advocate for people with local and central government on issues around poverty and housing. We can also look at the way the church invests and whether we are able to alleviate the housing situation, pursuing a Mission Aligned Investment strategy.
Welcome, hospitality and inclusion
(a) How do we welcome and include the complex needs which can be presented at the Cathedral?
Can we have someone from the ministry team ‘on duty’ to help with/talk to people who need help/a listening ear during services and at other times, in the same way that we have rotas for other things? We also need to make sure in rebuilding the Cathedral that it is an accessible and welcoming space for *everyone*.
(b) How do our social events and hospitality include everyone?
We need to ensure that dietary needs, mobility and accessibility are all thought about and become a part of the ‘normal’ planning for hospitality and refreshments. We can look at regular social events, pot lucks, groups to help the congregation to get to know each other, but also to welcome guests to the party and show something of God’s abundant generosity.
Mission and proclamation
(a) How do we better proclaim God’s story and our own?
Need for training so that we are better equipped to properly welcome people and also feel comfortable sharing faith appropriately. The Cathedral itself could have much better ‘interpretation’ so that we can tell the history of our people and church here in Otago and Southland, along with some of the unique and fascinating parts of our own history. This should be part of the design for the restoration of the Cathedral.
(b) How do we reach out to people who may wish to join us?
It was suggested that we look at ‘Mission 2022’ during Lent, once we have discerned properly this year who we are and where God is calling us. Our ministry to young people and students is growing, but somewhat haphazardly! How do we intentionally encourage and build up young people as part of the Cathedral in a way which is authentic and leads to real discipleship, and how do we also ensure we have intergenerational engagement?
(c) Why are we here?(!)
Can we find a way to share our own stories? What drew us to the Cathedral? What made us stay? What are the stumbling blocks? (Heating anyone?!) What do we really want to share with others that is life-giving?
(d) How do we get better?
With all of the above, there are lots of talented people in the Cathedral with very diverse gifts, but how do we make a difference? How do we change/improve/make suggestions – we will start a ‘Question/Suggestion box’ system and produce a guide to how things work…
(e) Who are we?
We are everyone whom God is calling – we are from different backgrounds, cultures, races; we are forming a community together around the God who calls us here, and all of us together will build it. All are and should be welcome – this is always something to work on!
As you can see, we covered a lot of ground, and we hope to think through our Cathedral mission some more in the weeks to come…
Remaining Lent Sessions:
We’ll be continuing our Lent journey as follows:
Thursday 25th Feb
5.15pm Study Group in the Chapter Room on the Transfiguration, ending with
6pm Evensong in the Cathedral.
Sunday 28th Feb
10am Choral Eucharist followed by a session on ‘being transformed by Christ’
7pm Choral Evensong with Lenten reflection
Thursday 4th March
6pm Choral Evensong in the Cathedral.
Sunday 7th March
10am Commonwealth Sunday Service, focusing on how we work together with our sisters and brothers in our neighbouring Commonwealth nations
7pm Choral Evensong with Lenten reflection
Thursday 11th March
5.15pm Study Group in the Chapter Room on ‘being called into relationship’, ending with
6pm Evensong in the Cathedral.
Sunday 14th March
10am Mothering Sunday - Choral Eucharist followed by a session on ‘the Cathedral as the mother church’
7pm Choral Evensong with Lenten reflection
Thursday 17th March
5.15pm Study Group in the Chapter Room on ‘glorifying God’, ending with
6pm Evensong in the Cathedral.
Sunday 21st March
11.30am ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Drawing the threads together: what does our mission look like?
7pm Choral Evensong with Lenten reflection